Mushroom Growing Out of Frog's Back Baffles Scientists, Making It the First Observation of Its Kind

While walking in nature with friends, an Indian scientist was able to come across something astonishing: a frog with an apparent mushroom growing on it.

Mushroom Growing Out of Frog's Back

Lohit Y.T., a wetlands and river specialist, shared in an interview that he and his hiking group, which consists of fellow scientists, were just searching for intriguing animals in the Western Ghats region of India. It was during this endeavor that they came across the baffling frog.

As they were checking out several of Rao's intermediate golden-backed frogs, the scientists observed that there was a growth on one frog's back. One of them took a picture of it. A closer inspection of the case revealed that a tiny mushroom was growing out of the miniscule amphibian's back.

While the scientists did not bring the creature with them, Lohit posted some photos on the internet. As a response, professional and amateur mycologists said that the growth appeared to look like a bonnet mushroom, which is collectively known as Mycena. This mushroom mainly dwells in plant matter that is decaying. Because of this, the growth on the frog's tiny back appears to be remarkably mysterious.

The scientists documented their discovery in the "Mushroom Sprouting out of a Living Frog" study.

ALSO READ: Mushrooms Growing on Mars? Rock-Like Formations on Surface May Actually Be Fungi

Mushroom Growth on Living Things

While several fungi grow on living things, most of them do not grow into mushrooms. These are only produced when spores get into contact with a surface rich in nutrients and sprout their Mycelium cells into it. Mushrooms only form if Mycelia cells have enough to eat.

Nevertheless, there are some cases where mushrooms grew out of living things. For one, there is the potentially medicinal and zombie-like Cordyceps fungus. This fungus takes over the brains and bodies of insects. It controls its host and eventually kills the host.

However, in this recent case of a frog-fungus duo, both the mushroom and the animal appeared to be living well. Until recently, such a phenomenon was unheard of.

A similar discovery was made last year by researchers from the University of Copenhagen. Such efforts were led by Christoffer Bugge Harder, a bonnet mushroom expert. Back then, researchers were able to find Mycena growing on living tree roots. Harder, who was not involved in the frog's discovery, shares that he thinks that the mushroom on the frog was Mycena. However, since both the mushroom and the frog were not brought back, this cannot be definitively concluded with just a photo. Further evidence is necessary for an identification to be made.

While evidence is lacking, the distinct observation is enough to spark scientists and leave them astounded and baffled.

Check out more news and information on Environment & Climate in Science Times.